I was having trouble thinking of a topic to write about for my free response blog for class this week. I decided to google religion and see what kinds of websites would come up. The first few pages of websites were filled with typical religious websites talking about different religions, their beliefs, and sacred texts that have been put online. However, afterwards, I found a fascinating website through Valaparaiso University. (Click here to see the website.)
The website is an interactive website on church membership and religious affiliation in the United States. There are different links for different religions. After clicking the link, a map of the United States comes up showing the number of people practicing that religion in every county. For example, clicking on the Mormon religion would show a map of the United States. The map has counties shaded that have a high number of Mormons, predominately Utah for that particular religion.
I kept clicking on all of the religions to see what parts of the United States had the most people practicing a certain religion. It was kind of like an addiction, I couldn't stop. Finally, I found what I thought was the coolest part of the website. There was a link showing the leading religious bodies in all of the counties in the United States. It was so interesting to me how much each of the religions seemed to have a distinct area on the United States map. (Expect for Catholicism.) This got me thinking of how much the environment influences a persons' religious affiliations. I mean if religion could not be determined by environment, then this wouldn't happen, right?
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ReplyDeletewow, that website is really interesting, although i wouldn't have wanted to be the one to compile all that data! in my geo and health class a few years ago, we looked at a study showing the distribution of lung disease in idaho and there was a whole chunk of it with really low occurrence of lung disease because of the high population of latter day saints (they don't allow smoking). it was a funny reminder of just how much a person's religion can influence their life (and how we shouldn't discount that influence).
ReplyDeleteThat is really interesting. It's funny that you mention Utah, that's where I'm from. And surprisingly enough, I'm not Mormon. :)
ReplyDeleteWell I think the reason a particular religion is in an area is because it wasn't pre-claimed by another relgion. I think I would say that religions influence the environment and I'm not specifically saying that it's the "earth" environment, your surroundings and such.
Yes, I meant surroundings, not the natural environment.
ReplyDeleteIt does bring up some big issues if religious faith appears to follow social and economic divisions. If one is correct does that mean God likes one part of the country better?? Or one is more holy? I think it puts in perspective many religious claims..
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